Tag Archives: Partula formosa Garrett

Partula dentifera ssp. formosa (Garrett)

Beautiful Tree-Snail (Partula dentifera ssp. formosa 

This subspecies was described in 1884, originally as a distinct species.  

The Beautiful Tree-Snail was endemic to the southwestern part of Ra’iatea, Society Islands, where it inhabited several valleys, including the Faaroa, the Faatemu, the Tivae, the Vaeanae, and the Vaiaau valleys. It was an arboreal form and was usually found on shrubs. [2]  

***

The following citation about this species in life is from Andrew Garrett.:  

The metropolis of this very distinct species is in Fatimu, or on the southwest part of Raiatea. It occurs in vast numbers on bushes on the lowlands near the seashore, becoming more scarce inland, where it is found associated with P. Hebe, var. bella. It ranges north as far as Vaiau valley, becoming less and less abundant as the distance increases from its specific centre.” [1]  

***

The shells of this rather large form reached a height of about 2,5 cm.  

*********************  

References:  

[1] Andrew Garrett: The terrestrial Mollusca inhabiting the Society Islands. Philadelphia: Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1884 [2] Justin Gerlach: Icons of Evolution: Pacific Island Tree-Snails of the Family Partulidae. Phelsuma Press 2016  

*********************

Depiction from: ‘George W. Tryon; Henry A. Pilsbry; a.o.: Manual of Conchology. Second Series: Pulmonata Vol. 20, Caecilioides, Clessula and Partulidae. Index to Vols. 16-20. 1909-1910’ 

(public domain)

*********************  

edited: 21.10.2017